Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Daimajin Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 29, 2021

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of The Daimajin Trilogy.

Arrow Video's relatively recent release of Django 4K + Texas, Adios BD caused me to jokingly ask, "When is a Django film not 'really' a Django film?", and in that regard I'd like to take a cue from a reliably ebullient Kim Newman who, in a supplementary introduction to the three Daimajin films collected by Arrow for this new release, suggests that this so-called "trilogy" may not in fact be properly termed as such. As several of the supplements spread across this three disc set get into, the general flailing of the Japanese film industry and the particular straits Daimajin producing studio Daiei found itself in by the mid-sixties meant that when some idea hit with the public, it was played for all it was worth, and in that regard the three Daimajin films are probably a salient example, since, as Newman and some of the commentators mention, the three films basically tell the same tale with slight differences. The third film, called Wrath of Daimajin here, but Daimajin Strikes Again on a previous release on Blu-ray (see below), arguably offers the most distinctive ambience due to its emphasis on children, something that (as is again mentioned in some of the supplements) tends to link that film, at least subliminally, with Daiei's "other" big "monster franchise" of this same period, Gamera. One of the kind of funny things about all three Daimajin films is that, as commentators Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp discuss in their analysis of the second film, their entire raison d'etre was ostensibly their special effects, and yet for the most part all three films offer around one hour of largely effects free narrative before releasing the kraken (so to speak) in the final few minutes.

All three Daimajin films were aggregated in a previous release on Blu-ray by Mill Creek Entertainment, and for those wanting plot recaps, I refer you to my colleague Martin Liebman's Daimajin / Return of Daimajin / Daimajin Strikes Again Blu-ray review. Marty's review is also a good resource for those who like to compare screenshots, as well as to see what supplements each version offers. As I've often repeated, "different reviewers means different opinions", and so you will see my scores may vary from Marty's.

Daimajin Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Daimajin is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains only the following fairly generic verbiage about this transfer, which is lumped in with the two others in the set:

Daimajin, Return of Daimaijin / Daimajin ikaru and Wrath of Daimajin / Daimajin gyakushu are presented in their original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with mono sound. The High Definition masters were produced and supplied by Kadokawa, with original grading and restoration by Arrow Films at R3Store Studios.

Additional English language version materials for Majin, the Monster of Terror (Daimajiri) and The Return of the Giant Majin (Return of Daimajin) were sourced from MGM. The picture elements were scanned at Company 3 and audio transfer work was completed at Deluxe Media, Los Angeles. Grading and restoration and audio work was completed at R3Store Studios and The Engine House Media Services.

While I don't have the Mill Creek release to do a side by side comparison, a cursory glance through screenshots suggests that this Arrow release offers somewhat darker presentations for all three films, and with a palette that doesn't have the yellow-green look of the Mill Creek release, but which can be skewed more toward a purplish tone at times. This first film offers generally secure detail levels, especially in the many close-ups, and to my eyes clarity looks marginally improved in this version (again judging solely by screenshots). The composite effects show their seams, as is the case in all three films, and the surplus of opticals, especially in the closing third or so of the film, can lead to spikes in grain, though there are no real resolution issues to report. As with its siblings in this set, Daimajin shows occasional slight signs of age related wear and tear.

Daimajin Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Marty wasn't overly impressed with the audio on the Mill Creek release, and while there admittedly may not be a huge difference in the Arrow version, I'm perhaps a bit more tolerant of some of the issues Marty mentioned in his review, since they're also in evidence on the LPCM Mono Japanese and English audio options on this version. Toggling between these two tracks shows very little if any difference in overall amplitude and mix levels, something that isn't always the case on this set, and I found dialogue to be clearly rendered on both tracks, though the Japanese track did sound somewhat more full bodied to my ears. There is some background damage that can be clearly heard on the Japanese track in particular, which tends to ebb and flow depending on how "quiet" scenes are otherwise. Optional English subtitles are available.

Daimajin Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary by Stuart Galbraith IV


• An Introduction to Daimajin by Kim Newman (HD; 15:23) features the always interesting Newman in an overview of the three films, which Newman avers should probably not be thought of as a traditional "trilogy".


• Bringing the Avenging God to Life (HD; 17:11) is a fun piece with Japanese film historian Ed Godziszewski looking at the special effects the films utilized.


• Alternate Credits are from the US release, which sported the title Majin, The Monster of Terror.

  2.35 Version (HD; 00:56)

  
  

  1.33 Version (HD; 00:56)

• Trailers

  Original Theatrical Trailer (HD: 2:32)

  
  

  Daimajin & Gamera vs. Barugon Double Feature Trailer (HD; 1:14)

  
  

  US TV Spot (HD; 1:07)

  
  

  Alternate US TV Spot (HD; 1:07)

• Image Gallery (HD)

Daimajin Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The first Daimajin film offers a secure template from which its two follow ups were obviously culled, and this first film has a certain mystical presence that the two other films arguably don't quite match. Technical merits are generally solid, and the supplementary package very enjoyable. Recommended.